# Polyplayground > Music theory app with isomorphic spaces, sampler, synthesizer, and MIDI controller. (iPhone/iPad app by Mike Gao.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polyplayground/id511514938 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Mike Gao](https://appshunter.io/developer/384844113) - Category: Music, Education - Price: $14.99 - Rating: 4.20/5 from 15 App Store ratings · 20 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.1 · 17 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2012-03-27 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polyplayground/id511514938/reviews.md ## What is Polyplayground? Polyplayground by MIGAMO (Mike Gao Mobile) This app is great for the producer, composer, music theorist, and student. It makes understanding music theory easier, because the spaces are isomorphic, meaning that chords are the same in all keys. One only needs to learn a chord shape once to use it in any key. The default 3:4 Balzano space has unique symmetrical properties that make it the ideal way to visualize and play harmony. The only drawback is step-wise motion, which has been addressed in the newest version of Polyplayground with Swipe Mode 3/4 (scalar swipe), as well as graphical cues for adjacent scalar notes. This app has a sampler and synthesizer engine with separate pitch bend for each finger, but is designed to be used as a MIDI controller. For live performance, the app takes MIDI input, allowing you to visualize what a jam partner is playing. You can also stream chords you have already played into the device so that you are never lost if you want to improvise. You can press the Horizontal/Vertical buttons to change your pitch space. Guitar/bass players can use guitar mode, which changes the pitch space to a 5:1 (fourths by chromatic) for their familiar layout, while cello players can use 7:1 (fifths by chromatic). ## Key features - Isomorphic music theory spaces - Sampler and synthesizer engine - MIDI controller functionality - Customizable pitch spaces - Guitar and cello modes - Scalar swipe for step-wise motion ## Recent user reviews (10 of 20) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polyplayground/id511514938/reviews.md ### 5/5 — 天才之作 *2025-07-13* 非常感谢mike gao制作了这个app，相见恨晚。一直很喜欢你的音乐。不过好像确实有点久没更新，有时候会有bug，很期待能有更新。期待加入auv3以及mpe。 ### 5/5 — Clearer explanation of all functions needed. *2024-05-06, version 3.85* Decent app, especially for the price point. Could use updating in terms of video tutorials on usage; the UI & general functionality is interesting but again needs a more structured tutorial guide, especially for the scales grid, ratios etc. Dedicating an easy-to-digest YouTube channel with a good number of video tutes might be a good way to go. ### 4/5 — Good but not excellent *2024-02-23* I love the idea, is my fav midi keyboard, and i sold my other physical midis for this app - can i connect via usb midi? Is so hard (maybe usb c easy connection?) - bug when u connect urs EarPods - echo, reverb FX just for make a idea ### 3/5 — Auv3 update request *2024-01-23* Great app However it would be a 5 star if it was updated to be an auv3 app. Being auv3 would absolutely fit this apps style and workflow for composition. It seems like a given. The current workflow stops me from using it unfortunately: since it’s so tedious compared to other compositional apps which can be used directly within the GarageBand, logic and others daws as a virtual instrument. I want to be able to work immediately with ideas from polyplayground rather than having to stop start since it’s such a visual app. If this was fixed then it would easily be in my top 3 MIDI tools. ### 5/5 — Goal *2021-11-24, version 3.85* Finna be a elite polyplayground user Under Mike and wave groove Still unlocking my potential ### 2/5 — It could be sooo much better! *2021-05-09* Edit: while I still feel like this app is much overdue for a makeover considering the new rise in the iOS music production eco system. I have been able to figure out how to use it within the iPad. I appreciate the developer replying which triggered me to try it again, even tho they still didn’t explain how it works. This app could sorely use better documentation to its features so people know how to use it. But making this app AUv3 compatible as a midi controller would reawaken its truest power. Please consider an update! 👍🏾 This app has the potential to be a game changer for music creation. But...the integration with other midi app is HORRIBLE!! I have to EMAIL the chords to myself?? And then the midi files aren’t even recognized by my iOS daws. Why not just have an export option?? 🤦🏾‍♂️ At this stage in iOS music this just comes across as a dinosaur when you can’t integrate it with at LEAST AUV3 capability. It’s a midi controller that probably works great for a Bluetooth controller...but to add it my arsenal of iPad production tools, it needs some way to actually use it WITH other apps. I gave it two stars because it’s not completely useless...but it’s so frustrating to implement that it might as well be. There’s no help to understand the app at all from the developers. Which would be nice for something that basically one of a kind. I feel like I wasted my money....and I’m not happy about that. I can only pray they will update this app but at this point it looks like just a dud that coulda been a stud! **Developer response:** Responding second time: you CAN send MIDI directly to other apps. I use it to control other apps to perform all the time. The email thing is just a fun convenience feature but there IS inter app MIDI without the need for AUV3. the synth is cool in here but wasn't meant for AUV3 control. You can already just play MIDI directly into other iOS DAWs with a piano roll. the email feature is just a bonus/plus ### 3/5 — Great App but... *2021-04-10, version 3.85* Great app and highly creative. It needs an update badly though. Moving up and down octaves or intervals doesn’t seem to work. It only works sporadically which is a bit of a deal breaker. Features like showing intervals seem to be broken as well. The developer is unreachable. ### 4/5 — Looks neat! *2021-04-06* At only 15mb it looks well developed too. ### 5/5 — T Khosla *2020-02-07, version 3.85* This is an awesome app. Unlike others on here I found the app very easy to use and intuitive. It has completely changed the way I use chords and has allowed for such a smooth new workflow. It is reasonably priced for all that it can do also. I would recommend this to anyone composing, producing or doing live performance work. ### 5/5 — Awesome Beginner App *2019-07-01* Works great! Took me a minute to figure out how to run it through my DAW but once I did, it worked great! ## Frequently asked questions about Polyplayground ### What is Polyplayground? Polyplayground is a music theory application designed to make understanding chords and harmony easier through isomorphic spaces. It also functions as a sampler, synthesizer, and MIDI controller. ### What instruments can I use Polyplayground with? Polyplayground offers specific modes for guitar/bass players (5:1 pitch space) and cello players (7:1 pitch space), in addition to its default Balzano space. ### Can Polyplayground be used for live performance? Yes, Polyplayground can be used as a MIDI controller for live performance, allowing you to visualize what others are playing and stream your own chords to avoid getting lost. ### Does Polyplayground have ads? No, Polyplayground does not contain advertisements. ### What devices does Polyplayground support? Polyplayground is currently supported on iPad devices. ### How often is Polyplayground updated? The latest version of Polyplayground was released on September 18, 2018. Previous updates have occurred to improve features like step-wise motion. ### What is the price of Polyplayground? Polyplayground is available for purchase at $14.99. ### What is the age rating for Polyplayground? Polyplayground has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.85 — 2018-09-18 Fixed bug that would get you stuck in harmonic minor for scale assist. Swipe mode 5: swipe up and down for semitones, swipe left/right to get you back into the scale. Great for experimenting with some movements. ### 3.6 — 2016-07-20 Chord Memory Mode Bug Fixes ### 3.5 — 2016-06-14 - Fixed crash from transposing too many octaves - New GUI ### 3.4 — 2016-05-12 - Swipe mode 5 (chromatic swipe) - Fixed MIDI file output - Fixed User Defaults saving - Less CPU - New Colors and animation ### 3.3 — 2016-03-15 New Modwheel Mode New Sampler based Audio Engine with Rhodes Sound Improved Automatic Triads Algorithm Help file link to Videos Fixed Bug where Swipe mode won't work with Y-Velocity Enabled ## More apps by Mike Gao - [Panoptican Blob Detection](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/panoptican-blob-detection/id6761319813) All apps by Mike Gao: https://appshunter.io/developer/384844113 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*